-December 10, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,
“… and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20)
We all love Christmas and sometimes we wish it could last forever. It is such a wonderful time of the year. When we love Jesus, Christmas does not have to end. We take down the tree, put out away the lights and ornaments, and life returns to normal. Christmas ends, but the spirit of Christmas doesn’t have to.
Because Jesus is with us, the life of Jesus is manifested in our hearts and lives. There are three hallmarks that define the spirit of Christmas: love, giving, and peace. If we live our lives showing these qualities, life will be richer, fuller, and better. How different this world would be if we all lived by these wonderful three!
I. LOVE – The love of Christ makes all the difference in our lives. It enables to love others as He loves us, and even to love our enemies. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
II. GIVING – God has given us the gift of His Son, the gift of eternal life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We give gifts to one another at Christmas, and also on birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other momentous occasions. But gifts can be given just because we love someone; we can also give our time and efforts in the Lord’s service. The best giving is when we give of ourselves. Jesus told His disciples, “…Freely you have received, freely give.” (See Matthew 10:8). God loves a cheerful giver.
III. PEACE – The people of world crave peace, but it always eludes them. There are wars, conflicts, crimes, violence, and other disturbances all around us. Jesus the Prince of Peace gives us peace: peace with God and the peace of God. The angel told the shepherds in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” And Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
There is a wonderful Christmas hymn entitled, “Good Christian Men Rejoice.” One line says, “Good Christian men rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain His everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save.”
Let us rejoice in Christ’s love, His gifts, and His peace, then spread them all around – all year round. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.
We have good cheer when we have Christmas all through the year,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 